Sansad TV: Diplomatic Dispatch- India and the SCO | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The 22nd Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was recently held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan and attended by Prime Minister Modi.

SCO

• The SCO is a political, economic, and security organization in Eurasia that originated from the Shanghai Five, which was founded in 1996 with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan as its original members. It was formed due to China's large number of undecided and disputed borders with many countries that became independent after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
• Uzbekistan joined the Shanghai Five in 2011, and it was later renamed as the SCO in 2002 when its charter was signed. India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, and the SCO currently has eight member states, four observer states, and six dialogue partners. Initially focused on security, the SCO has expanded to become a comprehensive regional organization with goals that include promoting cooperation in various areas, maintaining peace and stability in the region, and moving towards the establishment of a fair international political and economic order.
• The organization is led by the Heads of State Council and Heads of Government Council, with two permanent bodies, the SCO Secretariat in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Anti-Terrorist Structure in Tashkent.

The Importance of SCO for India's Economics and Geopolitics

• The SCO holds significant importance for India, particularly in terms of economics and geopolitics with the Eurasian states. India's Connect Central Asia policy can be advanced through the potential platform that SCO provides.
• The member states of SCO occupy a vast landmass adjacent to India's extended neighborhood, where India has both economic and security imperatives. Being a part of SCO offers India a vital counter to some of the other groupings it belongs to. Moreover, the SCO provides India with the only multilateral platform to deal with Pakistan and Afghanistan in close proximity.

Potential Bilateral Meeting between India and Pakistan at SCO Summit

• It is unlikely for India and Pakistan, both of which became SCO members in 2017, to do anything that may make them appear as an odd man out. Pakistan aims to project itself as different to the world and may attend the summit since it has been invited. However, Pakistan's army seeks to reduce the pressure it is facing due to economic sanctions. If a bilateral meeting is held on the side, it could be significant.

Challenges for India:

India is facing several challenges including varying opinions among SCO members regarding connectivity, with India being the only country opposed to the Belt and Road Initiative while the others have embraced it. Additionally, the growing relationship between Russia and China is a cause for concern. Moreover, India's bilateral trade with Central Asia and Russia is substantially lower than China's trade with these regions. The absence of connectivity has also hindered the development of energy ties between the hydrocarbon-rich region and India.

Way Forward

• The Indian government has consistently emphasized the importance of the SCO, which is often called the "Asian NATO" despite not requiring security alliances. Due to a decrease in engagement with SAARC, BBIN, and the RCEP, the SCO is now one of the few regional structures India participates in. India sees the SCO as a valuable opportunity to connect with Central Asian leadership, which is a significant benefit. India's strong economic growth and adept handling of problems make it an attractive destination for foreign investment.
• There is a need to increase cooperation between the SCO and other multilateral organizations and to promote economic cooperation among member states. The SCO should focus on addressing issues such as illegal drug trafficking, cooperation in information technology, environment, healthcare, and sports. It is essential to strengthen the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Increasing awareness of shared cultures can help promote tourism. Failure to tap into the economic potential of the region would be a missed opportunity for India.